Braiding machine



- Feb, 3. 19725.

F. H. BEYEA BRAIIING MACHINE Filed March l, 1922 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 3. 1925. 1,524,684

F. H. BEYEA BRAIDING MACHINE Filed March l, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 attorney,

Feb., 3. `i925.

F. H. BEYEA BRAIDING MACHINE Filed March l, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 annum lretain-.a Feb. 3, 19,25.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

FRANK -H. BEYEA, F AKRON, O'HIO, ASSIGNOR T0 JOHN R. GAMMETER, 0F AKRON, OHIO.

BRAIDING MACHINE.

Application filed March 1, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK H. BEYEA, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit, State of Ohio,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Braiding Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My inventio-n relates to improvements in braiding machines for use in covering annular cores with a layer, or layers of textile material'.

The invention is particularly directed toward providing a mechanism for forming a sheath around the inextensible rings, or cores, which are usually incorporated in the bead portions of tires.`

Briefly sta-ted the invention comprehends certain improvements in the structural features of a standard type of mechanism, that is commonlyl used for braiding around straight articles, whereby it is particularly adapted foruse in performing the aforesaid operation upon annular objects, for

which purpose it has not heretofore been available.

The invention is also directed toward providing a suitable driving mechanism for supporting and rotating Athe article during the braiding operation, and comprehends means for automatically stop-ping such rotation at the proper time, for instance, when a single layer of the sheath has been completely formed upon the article.

Other objects, together with the particular advantages to be derived in the practice of the. inventio-n, will appear when the following description is read in conjunction with the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the specification.

It is to be understood however that the invention proper resides in the broad combinations of features, and the aggroupment of elements, and that such features may be variously modified, or different arrangements of elements may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention'.

In the drawings- Fig. l, is a top plan view of a machine embodying my invention,

Serial No. 540,097.

Fig. 2, is a transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3, is a horizontal fragmentary sectional-view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4, is a fragmentary top plan view of that portion of the machine partly shown in Fig. 3,

1Aig. 5, is a fragmentary side elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the core rotating mechanism,

Fig. 6 is a sectional top plan viewof a die used in conjunction with the braiding operation,

Fig. 7 is a. side elevational view illustrating a portion of the die and means yfor automaticallystopping rotation of the core,

Fig. 8 is ahorizontalsectional view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating a modification. of the invention, ,and A Fig. 9 is a top plan view of that portion of the mechanism partly shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. l() is a perspective view of the bearings of the front portion of the core rotating mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2 my invention embodies as a portion thereof a supporting structure 1, and driving mechanism 2 for, respectively; supporting and aotuatin a plurality of bob-bin carriers (not shown?` around a lcommon center.

Inasmuch as this portion of the mechanism forms, per se, no part of the present invention it will be' briefly idescri'bed, in order to point out its relation to the remaining elements of the machine.

It comprises superposed spaced platforms, designated 3 and 4 respectively, each of which is provided with a oentrallyarranged opening 5, the openings being disposed in relative axial alignments The upper platform 3 is constructed to provide a circuitous trackway 6, arranged concentrically of .the opening therein, the trackway being designed to direct two streams of bobbin carriers in opposite directions, and in periodically intersecting paths, as they are actuated by means of the aforesaid driving mechanism 2. The trackway 6 icomprises a lurality of substantially circular slots 7- ormed in the platform 3 and arranged in spaced relation to intersect at substantially diametrically opposite points whereby they form a continuation one of the other.. The bobbin carriers are adapted to travel in these slots,

vin an upright position and to be thrown train, and in peripheral engagement below the platform 3, for rotation concentrically of their respective slots 7. Each horn gear carries a gear wheel 9 fixed concentrically thereof the said gea-rs 9 intermeshing andforming a circular train below the train of horn gears 8. Notches 10 are provided at 9()o points in the periphery of each horn gear to receive a portion of the bob-bin carriers, all. of whichwill readily be understood in the art without further description.

The notches in contiguous horn gears it will be noted are arranged to register at the points of intersection of each slot 7, in order that thecarriers may be passed from one horn gear to another.

The train of gears 9 is driven froma cross shaft 11 which carries beveled gears 12 in mesh with beveled. gears 13. The latter gears are'mounted respectively upon the axle of oppositely disposed gears 9 of the chain whereby two ears-of the train are driven as will be seen by reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings. rlhe shaft is clutched or released from the drive wheel 14 by means of the lever 15.

The apparatus so far described is well adapted for braiding the strands lfrom the bobbins at a point above the platforms but heretofore it has only been possible to utilize such mechanism in conjunction with work ofv a straight nature which may be fed through the openings 5 in the plates 3 and l thereof, or, in other words, axially of the trackway 6. In the practice of Amy invention the foregoing mechanism is so coordinated with other elements, presently described, that it is particularly adapted for use in braiding annular objects as they are rotated, Vand Aas will presently be apparent. i

In accomplishing this objective the supporting structure 1 and driving mechanism 2 are first constructed so .that an annulus such as a bead core 16 may be passed through the platforms 3. and 4, the train ot' horn gears 8, and the train of gears 9. To this end the lower platform 4 is provided with a slot 17 disposed preferably radially of the trackway 6, and directly below the point o-f intersection of two of the circular slots 7. The upper platform 3 is also provided with a`slot 18 disposed immediately Y tating means reageert above the slot 17. Preferably, however the latter slot 18, is offset from the point of intersection of the aforesaid circular slots 7 to vprevent destroying the bearing surface at this point and consequent jamming of the carrier. The contiguous horn gears 8 immediately adjacent each side of the slots 17 and 18 are cut away to provide lthereon flat portions 19 which may be positioned in parallelism with the slots 17 and 18 to provide a gap between said horn gears. The gear wheels 9 of these aforesaid horn gears, in the preferred form of the invention, are similarly treated, as best shown in Fig. 3, wherein a tooth is stripped from one of the wheels and said wheel is cut to provide a notch 20, arranged to pass through the slot 17 at the same time that the Hat portions 19 of the horn gears 8 are moving in contiguous relation. ln order that the flat portions of the horn gears 8 and the associated gears 9 may be accurately adjusted regardless of what position they assume` when the clutch lever 15 is operated torelease the shaft 11, the crank 21 may be utilized. This device may be of any suitable construction, and is therefore illustrated in a conventional manner only,- and as actuating a gear 22 that is normally in mesh with one of the gears 9.

The core is supported in proper position relative'rto the structure 1 by means of any suitabledevices Nsuch as the idler rollers 23. Preferably these rollers are adjustable in a vertical and a lateral direction. rlhey are therefore mounted, in: this instance, upon arms 24 which are pivoted respectively as at 25, in align-ment with the slots 17 and 18, for vertical swinging movement upon. the structure 1. Each roller 23 is also adjustable relative to `itsarm 24 and to this end each arm is provided with a. slot 26 in which the journal 27 of the roller may be locked in the position desired by means of the nuts 28. Preferably a pan 29v is adjustably supported beneath these idler rollers 23, or in any other suitable position for applying a cement coating to the core vduring the braiding operation.

Adjacent its upper portion the core is also supported by a c ombined gripping and ronumeral 30.

As shown in its preferred embodiment the gripping and rotating means are mounted upon a bracket 31 ,in a position substantially over the center of the trackway 6. The bracket may be of any suitable construction, but comprises, in its present form, spaced uprights 32, terminating in a forwardly projecting arm 33 that overhangs the platforms- 3l and 4;. At the forward end of the arm33 a plurality of grooved driven gripper rollers are mounted in a position to receive and clutch the core between designated as a whole by the out further explanation.

them. As shown in Fig. 2 two of the rollers 34 are disposed in superposed relation, the upper one in advance of the other, for engagement with the top of the core and are geared together as at 35 for rotation res ectively about a fixed axis. One of the ro ers 34 has fixed thereto a relatively large sprocket 36 which is connected by means of the chain 37 to a smaller sprocket38 fast upon a cross-shaft 39. The latter element is journaled in the uprights 32 and may be driven from the shaft 11 in any suitable manner whereby the rollers 34 are driven simultaneously with the ears 9l and at the proper speed relative t ereto. As shown the shaft 30 may be provided with a worm wheel 40 fast thereon and one of the gears 9 may be adapted to rotate a vertical shaft 41 that carries a worm 42 in mesh with said wheel.

At its free end the arm 33 is also provided with a forwardly and downwardly projecting extension 43 that is constructed to provide a U-shaped bearing 44. The bearing 44 isconstructed to provide a long arm 45, preferably formed integrally with the arm 33, and a relatively short arm 46 terminating short of the arm 33 to provide a gap or opening 47 for free access to the periphery of the rollers 34. A grooved roller 48 is mounted in the bearing 44 for adjustment therein relative to the rollers 33 whereby the core may be positioned, through the gap 47, between said rollers 33 and 48 for engagement thereby. Preferably the roller 48 is mounted for adjustment as follows: The shaft 49 thereof is journaledv in blocks 50 which are slidably mounted in slots 51 in the. bearing 44. Normally these blocks are forced in the direction of the rollers 34 by springs 52, whereby the core is clamped against the peripheries of the rollers 34, to be rotated thereby. One end of the shaft 49' has freely mounted therein a manually rotatable cam 53 which engages a lug 54 upon the side of the bearing 44 and serves to move'the shaft 49 and its roller 48 away from the rollers 34.

Below the lower roll 34 a die`55 is p rovided. It forms the common center, previously referred to, about which rthe bobbin carriers rotate and serves to place the strands 56 relative to the article to be braided, as will be readily understood with- Preferably it is mounted upon the arm 33 and comprises an open loop portion 57 and a slidable gate 58, or it may be constructed in any othersuitable manner whereby it is adapted to receive and release the core.

At a suitable point below thedie devices are provided for automatically stoppin the machine when a layer has been braided upon the core. These devices may be of any suit'able construction and are therefore illustrated conventionally in the drawings. As therein shown, see Fig. 7, a toothed wheel 59 is mounted upon a support 60 for engagement with the core. The wheel is insulated from its support as at 61 and serves as one terminal for a connection 62 from a switch box 63 which is suitably connected to a motor (not shown) for rotating the drive wheel 14. A second terminal 64 in the form of a brush is provided upon the support 60 to which the other connection from the switch box is secured. By this construction the circuit is completed through the core directly below the point at which the braiding operation occurs. Obviously as ,the core is completely covered 'the textile material will break the contact between said wheel and the core. The switch in the 'box 63 will be correspondingly operated to stop the motor and the braiding operation 1s stopped at the proper point upon the core.

In Figs. 8 and 9 a modified arrangement of the gears 9 has been illustrated. In this form of the invention one or more teeth are stripped from each gear 9 to form a notch 65 forreceiving the core. Obviously these gears may be properly rotated by means of the crank 21 to pass the core through the slots 17 and 18 as in the preferred form.

The operation of niy yinvention may be briefly stated. The train of gears 9 and hoin gears 8 may be properly positioned by means of the crank 2l to adjust the flat portions. 19 and the notch 20 thereon relative to the slots 17 and 18. The die 55 mav be opened by sliding the gate thereof to one side and the roller 48 vmay be withdrawn from the `rollers 34 by rotating the cam 53. The core may now be entered into the slots 17 and 18, between the flat portions 19` of the horn gears 8, and seated in the notch 20 of the gears, where-upon the gears and horn gears are rotated by means of the crank 21 to pass the core through said gears and horn gears. It may then be positioned 4in, the die and moved laterally through the gap 47 in proper position relative to the rollers 34 and 48 and with its lower portion at rest upon the idlers 23. The cam 53 is now released and the core securely clamped against the rollers 34 through the action of the spring pressed roller 48 previously described. The die 55 is now closed and the operator may start the machine through the clutch lever 15. .The action of the devices for stopping the machine when the core-y has com# pleted a single revolution and the manner in which the core is rotated will be readily understood, it is believed from the foregoing description. To withdraw the core the foregoing operations, relative to its entrance into the machine, are substantially reversed as will be apparent.

Although the invention has been described in detail in order to impart a clear under l standing thereof, it is to be understood that veo the present disclosure 1s merely illustrative and not tobe construed as restrictive in any mannerunless such restrictions are expressly indicated in the claims appended hereto.

Claims:

l. Apparatus for braiding a covering upon articles comprising in combination, a support adapted to direct a stream lof moving' bobbin carriers about a central opening therein, means for moving the carriers embodying a closed train of rotatable elements, said support and said means being adapted tor relative adjustment to provide a passage therethrough to said opening Without breaking the said train.

2. Braiding apparatus for covering annular articles comprising in combination, a support adapted to direct a stream of moving bobbin carriers about a common center, means for moving the carriers embodying a closed train of rotatable elements, said support and means being constructed for rela-- tive adjustment to permit the article to be passed therethrough for rotational movement through said common center, the said train being adapted te remain closed during the adjustment.

3. Braiding apparatus for covering annular articles comprising in combination, a support'adapted to direct a stream of moving bobbin carriers about a common center. a closed train of' rotatable elements for moving said carriers, a` second closed train of rotatable elements operatively associated with said first elementssaid support and certain of said elements being constructed for relative'adjustmnent While retained in operative relation to permit the article to be passed therethrough for rotational movenient through said common center.

wl. Braiding apparatus for covering annul .v lar articles comprising in combinatlon, a

support adapted to direct a stream of moving` bobbin carriers about a common center, means for moving the bobbins embodying a closed train of rotatable elements arranged concntrically of said center said support and certain of said elements being constructed for relative adjustment Without disorganizing the train to permit the article to be passed therethrough for rotational movement through said common center.

5. Apparatus forbraiding a covering upon annular articles comprising in c ombination, a support adapted to direct a stream of moving bobbin carriers about a central opening therein,.a closed train of rotatable elements for moving the carriers mounted upon the support in concentric relation to said opening, a second closed train of rotatable elements arranged in concentricrelation to said first elements said support and certain of said elements being constructed for relative adjustment Without bodily disnation, voi' movlnff bobbin cari-1ers about a central gears and gears 'iaaeee ticle therethrough for rotational movement through said opening, and means for gripping and rotating the article.

6. Apparatus for braiding a covering upon annular articles comprising in combia support adapted-to direct a stream opening therein, an annular closed train of rotatable horn gears arranged in concentric relation to said opening, an annular closed gear train arranged concentrically of said horn gear train adapted to actuate said horn gears said support and being relatively adjustable While retaining the said train unbroken to admit the article therethrough for rotational movement through said opening.v

. 7 Apparatus for braiding. a covering upon annular objects comprising in combination, a support adapted to directa stream of moving bobbin carriers about a central opening therein, means for actuating the carriers embodying superposed closed trains of rotatable elements arranged concentrically of said opening said support and certain ot' said elements-being constructed for relative adjustment while the train is closed to admit the object therethrough, a die above said opening` adapted to receive and release said object, and rotatable elements adapted to grip. and rotate the object.

certain of said horn 8. Apparatus for braiding .a covering upon annular objects comprising in combination, a support adapted to direct a stream of moving bobbin carriers about a central opening therein, means for actuating the carriers embodying superposed closed trains of rotatable elements arranged concentrically of said .opening said support and certain of said elements being constructed for relative adjustment to admit the object therethrough, a die above said opening adapted to receive and release the object, driving mechanism j for said rotatable elements, 'means for grippingand rotating the object, and devices for stopping the drive when a layer of braid has been completed upon the object..

9. Braiding apparatus for covering annular objects. comprising in combination, a support adapted to direct a stream of moving bobbin' carriers yabout a central opening therein, means for moving the carriers embodying a closed train of rotatable elements arranged concentrically of said opening said support and certain of said elements being constructed for relative adjustment to pernul-ar objects comprising in combination, a support adapted to direct a stream of moving bobbin carriers about a central opening therein, means for moving the carriers embodying a closed train of rotatable elements arranged concentrically of said opening said support and certain of said elements being constructed for relative adjustment to permit the object to be passed therethrough for rotational movement through said opening, means for rotating said object, and means for supporting and centering the object relative to the opening.

FRANK H. BEYEA. 

